BE SPECIFIC! If you need things to accomplish your idea, tell us exactly what you have in mind and how it will help you reach your goal:

• What kind of materials?
• What series of literature?
• What destination(s)?
• What kind of equipment?

PREPARE A REALISTIC BUDGET FOR YOUR IDEA

• Do your homework on proposal.
• Get the best estimates you can on what ideas will cost.
• Provide clarity of costs.
• Be sure your idea is not something:

1. The Board of Education will fund.
2. Your school budget covers.
3. Covered by professional learning.

SELECT WHICH GRANT FOR WHICH YOU WILL APPLY. Pay attention to the purpose of each grant and make sure that your application fits that purpose.

FOCUS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH

• How will your ideas engage students with interesting, challenging and satisfying work?
• It is not necessary to serve a large number of children to have a good proposal.
• It helps to show what group(s) may benefit

GIVE YOUR PROJECT A SHORT, EASY-TO-IDENTIFY TITLE A title that quickly summarizes your idea helps the Selection Committee. It also helps focus on the purpose of your project.

NAME SOMEONE WE CAN CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL DEF Selection Committees may need to contact people for more information in the midst of a meeting. Help them reach you!

Click Here to Complete an Application

Purpose – The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and enable promising piano and other instrument students in the Dalton Public Schools to pursue further music studies and to use that knowledge and those talents for the benefit of the community.

KAREN LIGHTBODY KIRKMAN, a very talented pianist and 1962 graduate of Dalton High School, donated her abilities countless times to our community through school, church, and other civic performances and accompaniment for many years. It was her wish that this scholarship help others to “take her place” by giving back to their communities through the gift of their musical talents. The family has chosen to expand the award to include piano and other instruments on an alternating year basis, one year in piano and the next year for any other instrument. This year, the award will be given in the area of piano. The award is need based and the funds go directly to pay for continued musical lessons.

Selection Process – The selection process consists of three steps: application, screening, and selection:

Application – The application consists of basic biographical information; a resume of the student’s musical study, performances, and experience; a repertoire list of what the student has played; a student questionnaire in which the student commits to use his/her talents for the community; two letters of recommendation regarding the student’s musical abilities and experience from two non-family members, including at least one from a Fine Arts Professional (one who spends at least fifty percent of his/her working hours teaching or performing in the arts); and an audition tape of the student performing two musical selections (at least one selection should be classical musical).

Screening – A screening committee will review all parts of the application and select no more than five finalists for the scholarship

Selection – Finalists will be expected to play two selections (can be the same or different from those submitted with application) for the judges in a closed audition environment. The judges will conduct a brief interview of each finalist during the audition timeslot.

Funding awarded to the winners will be used for continued music lessons and will be paid directly to the music instructor.

Timeline:
Application Deadline – Friday, April 9; 4:30 PM
Performance Auditions – Tuesday, May 18
Winner Announcement – Monday, May 24